Drecun: There is no alternative to dialogue

Using the situation surrounding Serbia's efforts to get a date for the start of EU membership negotiations, Pristina is trying to get some concessions by employing the help of Brussels and certain EU member states, Drecun told Jagodina-based broadcaster Palma Plus late Saturday. He stressed that Belgrade cannot make any concessions that would not be in line with the Platform on KiM and the Resolution on the Belgrade-Pristina talks adopted by the Serbian parliament. “Serbia is offering a compromise not because it wants a date but rather as it wants to arrive at a substantial and sustainable agreement between the Serbian and Albanian side in Kosovo,” Drecun said. He said that he sees a solution “in granting Kosovo-Metohija an essential autonomy, with all the powers that they gave themselves with the self-declared independence, but under the constitutional and legal framework of Serbia.” On the other hand, it is necessary to provide a foolproof mechanism for the survival and protection of the Serb people in Kosovo, as they cannot be subject to Pristina's laws. He noted that Brussels has to keep in mind that a total of five EU member states have not recognized Kosovo's independence, and also be aware of the danger that the entire region might face if the dialogue is interrupted and Kosovo turns to Tirana and the 'Greater Albania' project.